For centuries, birds have captivated us with their gift of flight and their vibrant plumage—more diverse in color than any other animal on the planet. Each year, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wisconsin celebrates the unique beauty of the avian form during its Birds in Artexhibition.
Craig Blietz, Pilot, acrylic and casein on gessoed hardboard, 30 x 22"
Starting September 9, artwork created by 111 artists from across the world will be on view, including 22 artists who were named Master Artists during previous Birds in Art exhibitions, and 89 artists whose work was selected by a jury. From paintings to sculpture to graphics, artists in the exhibition offer fresh interpretations of what it means to depict these feathered subjects. All works in the show have been created within the last three years.
Tony Pridham, The Ghost of Bahia, oil on canvas board, 38 x 20"
Wildlife painter Edward Aldrich captures a variety of different North American beasts. His oil Procession depicts a small flock of wild turkeys making their way through a patch of greenery. “The population of wild turkeys that inhabit the neighborhood in which I live is steadily growing. This gives me the opportunity to encounter groups of them on frequent walks,” he says. “I have often seen them travel in search of their next foraging place in strung out lines, thus the name Procession.” The artist continues, “It is easy to underestimate the true beauty of these birds, but when the light is just right and you really stop and observe, their colors are mesmerizing. Iridescent tones and colors from all parts of the spectrum grace their feathering and skin. I wanted this painting to be about this dazzling observation.”
The portrait The Comic Wood Duck is packed with personality, as the subject takes on an anthropomorphic expression that feels nearly human. “This painting is part of my series inspired by entertainers’ publicity headshots,” says artist Rick Pas. “I had the good fortune to take reference photos of a very expressive wood duck. I never thought of a bird’s face being expressive until later when I reviewed the photos and thought, ‘this pose looks thoughtful, this looks surprised, this looks comic, etc.’ The titles come from those impressions.”
Jeremy Paul, Lesser-Flamingos, Lake Tsimanampetsotsa, Madagascar, acrylic on board, 15 x 28"
A visit to Madagascar a few years ago inspired Jeremy Paul to paint his acrylic on board Lesser-Flamingos, Lake Tsimanampetsotsa, Madagascar. “[The country’s] wildlife is unique, having evolved in isolation, but under great pressure due to the environmental degradation that has taken place over many years. Madagascar is a very poor country, and much of the forest has been cleared, but there remain diminishing pockets which are now protected national parks and conservation areas,” says Paul. “One area is Lake Tsimanampetsotsa…It lies in the arid southwest of Madagascar and seems to change color as the day progresses…After a climb to a viewpoint overlooking the lake, we saw a line of lesser flamingos. The flamingos stood out in the middle of the shallow lake and immediately focused the eye, creating the composition for the painting, with a series of horizontal elements from the reflections in the lake, to the distant line of the shore and receding to the forest in the background.”
Rick Pas, The Comic Wood Duck, acrylic on PVC panel, 12 x 12"
Additional artists exhibiting at this year’s show include Craig Blietz, Walter T. Matia, Peregrine O’Gormley, Gunnar Tryggmo, Tony Pridham, Paul Rhymer, Kathryn Ashcroft, Alan Woollett and many more.
Birds in Art will be on view through November 26. Visit www.lywam.org for updates on opening day festivities. —
Birds in Art
When: September 9-November 26, 2023
Where: Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, 700 North 12th Street, Wausau, WI 54403
Information: (715) 845-7010, www.lywam.org
Powered by Froala Editor
